Monday, January 24, 2011

There is an art to hanging art. How high should the picture be hung off the floor, where should it be hung and what colour should the matting be are all questions that baffle many do-it-yourselfers. Art is continuously hung too high in homes which can cause the picture to lose much of it’s drama and presence in the room.

In general, artwork should be hung so that the center of the picture is at eye level. This is usually about 65-68 inches from the floor. While this measurement will work for a person of average height, it may need to be adjusted accordingly for the individuals that are living in the space. The mounting height should also be adjusted for the use of a room. In a living room, where people are normally seated, the artwork should be lowered so that it can be viewed and appreciated without craning the neck.

When it comes to scale, the size of the artwork should relate to the size of the wall on which it will be hung or to the size of the piece of furniture that it will hang above. A small picture will look lost hanging on a large, otherwise blank wall. A large piece of art on that same wall will create a bold statement and will create a focal point in the room. Artwork that is wider than the piece of furniture below it will look visually heavier than the furniture and will cause the whole arrangement to look out of balance.

Small photos or pieces of art can be grouped to act as a single large unit. The pieces do not have to be of the same subject or colour. They can be unified as a whole by using the same width and colour of frames on all pieces. For visual interest, frames can be hung both vertically and horizontally. When deciding on a composition, lay the pieces out on the floor first to determine spacing and layout. This gives you the chance to arrange and re-arrange without making extra holes in the wall. Ensure that there is equal spacing on all sides of the pieces. Step back and look at the balance of the composition. Have the heavier pieces been spread throughout the lighter pieces? Once you have a composition that you are satisfied with write down the dimensions and begin by hanging the center piece.

Lighting that is focused on a single piece (or on a grouping) makes the piece look more important and more dramatic. Consider installing track lighting or a focused pot light onto the piece.

Ensure that pieces of artwork are chosen for the emotional feeling that they provoke, not because they match an existing piece of furniture. Artwork is meant to stand on it’s own and be a focal point. When choosing matte colours to be placed around a piece of art, ensure that the colour will not distract from the artwork itself. Classic whites and off-whites are usually the safest choices.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Choosing colour is not an easy task. That said, there are some common mistakes that are often made that can be avoided with a little colour knowledge.

The top three mistakes that are repeatedly made are:

1) Painting a feature wall.Individuals concerned with the intensity of a new paint colour sometimes decide to paint only one wall of a room in that colour and leave the rest as they are. Mistake number one! As soon as a wall is painted a contrasting colour from the others, focus is drawn to that wall. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is to arbitrarily choose a wall to be an accent wall without forethought to what the wall will have to dazzle the eye with once attention is drawn there. In most cases it is very disappointing as it is just a wall. The only time that I would ever consider painting one wall an accent colour is if the wall is an amazing architectural feature and support the attention given to it when painted a contrasting colour. Don’t forget that it is contrast and not colour that make a room look smaller, so in most cases you are actually working against yourself if you paint one wall a dark colour to avoid making the room seem smaller. If you are looking to paint more than one colour in a room, consider taking more of a colour-blocking approach vs the accent wall. An example of colour blocking would be to paint two walls in a bedroom dark blue and the other two walls light blue, to create less of a contrast and more interest than just painting one wall dark blue and leaving the rest neutral.2) Common mistake number two…choosing the wrong undertone in a colour. A colour’s undertone is the secondary colour that is seen within the original colour. For example, white can be a yellow white, a pink white, a blue white, a grey white, etc. On it’s own, it can be difficult to see the undertone within the colour white, but as soon as other white samples are put next to the original it becomes very apparent that some are more blue, more yellow, etc. When choosing colour be very conscious of the undertones that are within the colour and be sure to match the undertones when combining colours. For example, when putting a green and a brown together in a room, ensure that if the green has a yellow undertone in it, then the brown that you choose must have a yellow undertone in it too. This will simplify colour combinations. If you are having trouble seeing the undertones in a colour, ask an associate at a paint store, or seek help from a designer.3) Mixing warm and cool colours together incorrectly is the third most commonly made mistake. Warm colours are those that are red, orange and yellow. They remind us of sunshine and fire. Cool colours are green, blue and purple. These colours make us think of things like water and ice. To easily create a colour scheme, use all warm colours in a room or all cool colours. Warm and cool colours can be mixed with great success, but the problem that most people have is forgetting about the undertones within these colours. A red can still be considered a warm red or a cool red. Subsequently a blue can still be considered a warm blue or a cool blue. Blue will always be cooler than a red, but there are variations within the colour blue. If you want to put a red and a blue together in a room ensure that you are looking for a warm red and a warm blue or a cool red and a cool blue.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The construction industry is filled with terms, codes and restrictions that can be incredibly confusing to the average homeowner. If you are considering tackling a renovation or a new building project it’s important to hire someone that can help you through the process. But how do you know who to call when the titles of the professionals that you are trying to hire are just as confusing as the codes that you are hoping they can unravel? In an effort to help you hire the correct individual for the job, below are the titles of some of the professionals that you may be looking to seek advice from and a brief description of what they can help you do. Please note that in BC there are no regulations as to designation, therefore anyone, trained or untrained, can call themselves a designer or decorator. If it is important to you, ensure that you ask for credentials.

Interior Decorator – Generally focused more on the fit and finish of room, an interior decorator is able to choose the colours and finishes that will pull a room together. Selections made by an interior decorator can include wallpaper, paint, window coverings, furnishings and accessories. An interior decorator does not necessarily have any post-secondary training although there are a number of certificate programs available in the industry.

Interior Designer – The interior designers’ realm is integrated with the architecture of the room and building. In addition to providing the same colour and finish selection services as is listed above, an interior designer will also be involved in cabinet making, room layout, traffic patterns, space restrictions, window placement, flooring selections, plumbing selections, and lighting selections. Interior Designers are trained professionals that have attended a post-secondary institution for three or four years and have received either a diploma or degree in interior design. The professional interior designer is qualified to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces.

Kitchen Designer – Designing a kitchen or bath to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing takes highly specialized skills and knowledge. A kitchen/bath designer is skilled at assessing a client’s individual wants and needs and creating designs that meet and exceed those requirements. The kitchen/bath designer is specifically trained to review work/prep stations, storage needs, space limitations, and aesthetics. A professional kitchen/bath designer remains current on local building codes as well as new products and equipment on the market.

Architect – Involved in the planning, design and oversight of a building’s construction, an architect thoroughly understands local building and operational codes under which their design must conform. Architects understand the various methods available to the builder for building the client's structure and are responsible for ensuring that the client’s cost and time budgets are met. Architects must frequently make building design and planning decisions that affect the safety and well being of the general public.

Draftsperson – Responsible for the preparation of accurate and detailed construction drawings, a draftsperson will work closely with an architect and interior designer. Although most drafters now use computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems, they still have all of the knowledge of traditional draftspersons and are sometimes hired to design the initial space layout.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Lighting selections are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate through in a lighting store. There is more to choose from than ever before, which although wonderful for someone who is looking for something quite specific, it has made the process drastically more challenging for those who do not have a specific fixture in mind. Take the dining room chandelier for example, what colour, what style, what size are all questions that run through the mind of the uninformed.

Always start by choosing the style of the fixture. Look for a fixture that will suit the design style that you have chosen for the room and ensure that it complements any other surrounding fixtures. A consultant in a lighting showroom can be a valuable resource in helping to determine if a particular light will work within a particular style category. Many lighting stores offer the opportunity for you to purchase the light and try it out at home to see if it works well. Lights can be exchanged if it doesn’t look as good as you had thought it would. Check with your lighting store to see if they offer this option. Also, ask your lighting consultant to look in catalogues if you are not seeing anything on the floor, this will dramatically increase your options and your chances of finding something. When you find a fixture in a catalogue, make sure that you find out what the store’s policy is on special orders. Is it something that can be returned or exchanged if it doesn’t look as good in real life as it did in the picture?

To choose the correct size of chandelier in a dining room follow these guidelines:The diameter of the chandelier should be 12 inches less than the width of the table, assuming that the table is the correct size for the room. For example, if you have a 48 inch wide table the diameter of the chandelier should be 36 inches. This formula works for all shapes of tables.The bottom of the chandelier should be 30 inches from the top of the table, this ensures no bumped heads and good illumination. If your ceilings are nine feet high or higher, than consider installing a two-tier chandelier to fill some of the space from the top of the fixture to the ceiling.The total wattage of all bulbs should be between 200 and 400 watts to provide sufficient light. When in doubt about the size of your room, go with higher wattage and install a dimmer switch for ultimate control.Before beginning installation, check the ceiling electrical box to ensure that it will be able to support the new light securely. If the new light is about the same weight as the old light than there shouldn’t be any problems. However, if it is a heavier light, consult a contractor to have the box properly supported to accommodate the increased weight.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

If you’re thinking of selling your home there is a single fact that you should know – few people will purchase a home unless they can visualize their furniture and possessions in it. This is hard to imagine when the rooms are over-crowded and filled with too much stuff. You want to be able to put your home’s best features forward and not complicate the views of those features with pictures of Uncle Bob and your collection of gnomes.

When you put your house up for sale, the house becomes merchandise. It is very important to try to get the best possible price that you can for that merchandise and that can only be done when it’s in the best possible condition. It is difficult for buyers to imagine moving into their perfect house and immediately having to repaint the living room. Most buyers do not want to have to change anything in the house for the first few months. By the time they are buying a house they are probably running low on energy and financial resources. Moving is stressful. Most buyers want to move in, and sit back for a couple of months.

In order to make your home as potentially attractive to buyers as possible, there are a few simple steps that should be followed.

Step One: Clean!!Hit all the spots that may normally get overlooked on day to day cleanings such as the baseboards, the top of the hood fan, or the blades of a ceiling fan. Scour the stove. Check for cobwebs. Wash windows. Shampoo carpets and curtains. Be conscious of strong smells in the home and eliminate them – pets, smoke, mildew and cooking odours are all major turnoffs.

Step Two: De-Clutter!Staging is not decorating. Decorating means personalizing a space. Staging is depersonalizing a space. Remove any personal photos, collections, and tchotchkes that will distract attention easily.

Step Three: Colour!!!Builders’s Beige isn’t just a term that designers joke about at social gatherings. This colour scheme was invented for a purpose - it’s impersonal. If Bill and Sue have been living in their home for five years their house should reflect their personalities at first glace. However, when Bill and Sue decide to sell their house, they then need to take everything back to neutral to appeal to the masses. Houses with strong paint colours and floral or patterned wallpaper are hard to sell. Why? Because the colour and pattern are so individual. The chances of someone liking that exact shade of pink in the master bedroom is very small. If walls and carpet colours are intense or change from room to room, the house will actually appear much smaller than it is. Painting everything a neutral colour will create flow through the home from room to room and visually enlarge a space.

Following these three basic rules will optimize the chances of your house appealing to the majority of the population, which puts more potential buyers at your doorstep and will increase the selling price of the home. Good luck!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

So you’ve finally decided to tear up the orange shag carpet in the basement and are wondering what to replace it with. A walk through a flooring store might not diminish any of the confusion. There are many flooring options on the market today. Gone are the days when your choices were carpet or linoleum. These days the choices are far more overwhelming. With factors such as durability, price, and environmental aspects to consider, style and colour can seem like the easy part.

Here is your guide to the most common types of flooring on the market today.

Hardwood – Seen as a luxury item, hardwood floors give a space a sense of grandeur and can raise resale value. Styles can range from formal to rustic depending on the finish and width of boards. As a natural product, wood varies in degrees of durability depending on the type of wood. All types are prone to scratches and dents and none are water resistant. Check with your flooring supplier on the durability of your particular type of wood.

Cork – Environmentally sound option. The cork is harvested from the bark of the tree without cutting the tree down. The cork bark will also regenerate in about 10 years time. Very soft and warm to walk on. Very forgiving to dishes that have been dropped in the kitchen. Cork also absorbs a lot of sound so acts as a very good option in open floor plans or in areas that need sound damper.

Bamboo – Bamboo is actually a grass, not a wood product and it can be harvested every 5 years. As a result, no forests are destroyed to make bamboo floors making it a renewable resource. Bamboo is as durable as the most durable hardwoods and costs about the same as premium wood floors.

Engineered Hardwood – Has a layer (approx 1/8”) of real hardwood on the surface of a more inexpensive softwood or laminate. Uses less wood than traditional hardwood floors making it more environmentally friendly and is slightly more resilient than hardwood at a lower cost.

Laminate – Dent and scratch resistant. Higher priced laminates can look like real hardwood while lower priced options often have the unmistakable synthetic look. A good option in high traffic areas.

Tile – Broken up in two categories – Ceramic and Porcelain. Ceramic is generally less expensive but is more vulnerable to cracks and chips. Porcelain has a very high durability rating and the colour runs all the way through the tile so if it does chip or crack it will be difficult to see. Tiles are well known for being cold on the feet, consider under-floor heating.

Carpet – Various styles and colours. Everything from plush to berber to the new shag. Creates a warm and cosy atmosphere. Great as a sound absorber. Not a good choice for anybody with allergies.

Vinyl – Good quality vinyl is scratch and dent resistant. Comes in various styles but more limited colours. Known environmental hazards during manufacturing and disposal make it a low “green” option.

Knowing what factors are important to you and your family will help to narrow down the options in flooring. Talk to your designer or flooring representative to learn more about potential options.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Friends of mine are joyously anticipating the arrival of their first baby. As this wonderful time creeps closer and closer for them, they are beginning to think about decorating the new nursery. However, I cautioned them that before they get caught up in what colour the room should be, they should put a little research into giving baby a healthy room first and foremost.

Babies not immune to the effects of the toxic chemicals that we bring into our homes, in fact they are actually much more at risk to health problems associated with those chemicals. We are aware that babies are much more delicate than adults, but what you may not know is that they have a more absorbent skin surface for their size than adults and they are unable to eliminate chemicals from their body as well. With the number of chemicals that are accumulating in the environment and the polluted indoor air quality that is in every home it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that asthma rates and childhood cancers are on the rise. However, there are things that can be done to help reduce the number of chemicals that your newborn will come into contact with. We can’t keep them in a plastic bubble all their lives but at least we can give them a healthy start in life.

Paint – Choose the colour that you intend on painting the nursery carefully. Bright colours, which have a lot of colourant in them, will be the colours that do the most off-gassing. Off-gassing occurs when the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are released from the product and into the air. Off-gassing is recognizable whenever you have that “new-car” smell or the “fresh-paint” smell. Stick to light colours for the nursery and shop around for a no-VOC paint. Ensure you compare stats for paint when you are shopping many companies will indicate a low or no-VOC product but that may not include the colourant. As an additional act of protection, make sure that the room is painted at least two to three months prior to the baby’s arrival so that the fumes have a chance to dissipate.

Furniture – Shopping for cribs, change tables and dressers may be half the fun of decorating the new nursery but when shopping, make sure that you purchase products wisely. All products on the market must meet strict safety standards to ensure that they child won’t get hurt by them, but there are currently no regulations for what the piece is made from. Composite woods and all other pressed wood furniture is bound together using formaldehyde (yes, the same chemical used in embalming the dead). These products off-gas smog and asthma-inducing chemicals for long time after the furniture has been put together. Instead look for unfinished solid-wood pieces that you can finish yourself using natural hemp or linseed oils to ensure a healthy environment. Conventional crib mattresses are coated with fire-retardant, stain-repelling and anti-bacterial chemicals. If you aren’t able to find an organic mattress, than ensure that you bring the conventional one home several weeks before the baby is due before setting your newborn down on it.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Homes for the Holidays is a self-guided tour of fabulous Kelowna homes that are decked out for the holiday season. This year I will be decorating the Bellamy Homes showhome in The Ponds.The event runs from Nov 13-15, 2009. The times of the showings are Fri 4:30-9:30, Sat 11:30-4:30 and 4:40-9:30 and Sunday 11:30-4:30Check out this link for tickets and more information http://www.rotarycentreforthearts.com/support_us/homesfortheholidays.html

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

As more and more individuals are consciously trading in square footage for location, the trend towards smaller living spaces is ever increasing, especially in urban areas. Even locally, we are noticing a huge influx of condominium developments and people downsizing their homes to get into a great condo with a lake view or water access. Smaller living spaces certainly have a major downside however…lack of storage space. As human beings we have been inundated by marketing ploys our entire lives that say we need to purchase more and more “stuff”. At a certain point though, usually when one is contemplating downsizing, the thought surfaces, “What am I going to do with all this stuff?” Below are some simple space saving ideas that can help to maximize the amount of storage space available in your new or existing digs.

• Transfer the music from all CDs to your computer. Sell or donate the CDs.• Select furniture pieces that do double-duty as storage pieces. Consider using armoires, chests of drawers, storage ottomans• Maximize the use of built-ins. They offer clean, uninterrupted lines and provide more storage than stand alone units.• Think vertical! Add floor to ceiling bookshelves to store books, display collections, or line with baskets and decorative boxes for storage of smaller items• Space under the bed is space just begging to be used for storage. Great for holiday decorations, wrapping paper or out-of-season clothing, many companies produce under-the-bed specific containers on wheels for ease of use.• Make use of the storage space in a garage by installing storage specific units to get sports equipment, gardening tools, etc off the floor and into their own space. Look online for companies that specialize in garage storage.• Purchase clothes hangers that allow for multiple items to be hung on them and only use one hook.• Over-the-door storage options exist to create hanging storage of shoes or purses which in turn can clear entire shelves of space in the closet.• Manufacturers have created many innovative storage solutions for the kitchen that are relatively inexpensive. Rollout drawers can be added to existing pantries and base cabinets to gain easy accessibility to items at the back of the cabinet Vertical dividers can be added to base cabinets to organize multiple baking sheets and pot lids Backsplash organizer systems allow items to be hung off of a track to be both out of the way and within easy reach. Items such as paper towel, cooking utensils and knives can be easily stored on these systems Purchase appliances that do double-duty in the kitchen such as a hoodfan/microwave unit or a toaster/coffee pot combo.• When purchasing new cabinets, consider installing taller upper cabinets that extend to the ceiling which will add an extra shelf of storage in each cabinet. This is a great place to store items like the punch bowl that gets used once a year.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Whether you are building a new home, renovating the entire house, or just trying to update a single room, wall colour can be one of the most complex decisions to make. Wall colour can transform a room from the bland to the exotic and is responsible for pulling together the overall feeling of a room, be it classic, modern or country. Unfortunately, it is also the one area where the most mistakes can occur. It certainly accounts for the majority of questions that I get asked by clients and friends alike. This is what I tell them...

First things first. The most important rule when choosing wall colour is to try to choose everything else that is required in the room first. For new construction, choose flooring, cabinets, countertops, and backsplash tiles before choosing wall colour. When buying new furniture or replacing carpet in an existing room, ensure that you already have the fabric sample or carpet colour choosen, then choose a wall colour. Although this may seem a little backwards, consider this. There are over 3000 paint colours in just one colour fan from a major paint company. Then consider the number of paint companies that are out there. I did a quick test and I can think of over 20 companies in under two minutes. Do the math. That’s over 60,000 paint colours. And trust me, there are more out there. Regardless of what other finishes you will be making decisions on, you will never have more selection to choose from than when choosing your paint. Therefore, narrow down your finishes, fabrics, etc first, then, focus on a wall colour. Your previous selections will have already narrowed down the colour selections for you and at that point it is all about finding the right shade.

Although it may seem like a daunting process, be assured that the right shade is out there. For every situation. The biggest difficulty in choosing colour can be determining a colour’s undertones. An undertone is the buried colour within the overall colour. It’s the reason that some beige carpets look like they have pink in them and why others look grey. Every colour has an undertone and getting used to picking them out can take some practice. When in doubt, get a second opinion or consult a professional. In all cases, make sure that you view the potential colour in the room for which it is intended, in morning, afternoon and evening light. This is a very important process as the colour will change dramatically depending on the amount of light hitting it. Make sure that you know what it will look like in different qualities of light before applying it.

When choosing wall colours for an open floor plan it is very important that all the colours flow together. That doesn’t mean that you must end up with one colour throughout, what it means is that all of the colours must have a common tie to each other (ie they all must have a yellow undertone). Some easy and successful places to make major colour changes are the powder room, den/office, master bedroom and ensuite. The reason that these are relatively fool-proof areas to make colour changes is that they all have a different purpose from the main living area (ie the master bedroom is private space versus the public space of the living room and kitchen).

Paint is by far the most inexpensive way to change or update a room, but it is also the selection that can be the trickiest. To give yourself the best possible opportunity to pick the right colour the first time around, take some time in choosing that colour. Get a second opinion, look at it in different lights, take home a sample of the paint colour and try it right on the wall. Because we all know that, “if it doesn’t work out, it’s just paint”, but do you really want to have to re-do it?

Thursday, August 6, 2009

In grade school, children are taught that white light can be divided into a rainbow of six colours by shining the light through a prism. The prism effectively breaks the light up into it’s six different wavelengths which our eyes perceive as the different forms of colour – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet.

Light is a form of energy that is either reflected by a surface or absorbed by the surface. When we see colour, what we actually see is the light that is being reflected back from that surface into our eyes. For example, a red fabric absorbs all wavelengths of light except the red. The red light is reflected from the surface and bounces into our eyes, giving our brains the perception that the fabric is red.

While white light is the combination of all colours, black is actually the absence of colour. A black surface is absorbing all of the colour wavelengths and not allowing any light to bounce back into our eyes, thus producing a void of colour – black.

The term “neutral colour” is an oft misused term. True “neutral” colours are actually white, black, grey and brown. These colours are considered to be neutral because they can co-mingle happily with any other colour in the colour spectrum. Neutral colours are the Switzerland of the colour world. Using neutral colours as part of a colour scheme is critical to creating a balanced room. Neutral colours help provide support to a colour scheme by proving the contrast and the grounding of the other colours.

Colours are either viewed as “warm” colours or as “cool” colours. The warm colours, (reds, oranges, yellows) are so called because the conjure up images of things that we know to be hot, such as fire and sunshine. The cool colours, (greens, blues, violets) can conjure up images of ice, snow and cool grass. While some colours are obviously warm or cool, note that all colours will either be warm or cool when being compared to another of a similar hue. For example, blue is a cool colour. But when viewing two blues side by side, one will appear to be more warm or more cool than the other. Being able to see the perceived temperature of a colour will go a long way in helping to determine if colours work together. Warm-toned colours should always be placed with other warm-toned colours, and cool-toned colours should be placed with other cool-toned colours.

Colour will either appear as bright and intense or as dull and muddy. Intensity is the definition of how pure a colour is. The classic primary school colours, red, yellow and blue, are very bright, very intense colours. These are pure colours that have not been muddied by the addition of grey. The more grey that is added to a colour, the less intense it becomes. Low-intensity colours are generally very calming colours that add can add elegance and sophistication to a room, while high-intensity colours will add excitement and energy to a space. Knowing what type of feeling you are attempting to create in a room can help to determine whether a high-intensity or a low-intensity colour should be chosen.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

As many people are aware, the best dollar-for-dollar return on renovations comes from the kitchen. Whether you are thinking resale value or whether you are hoping to stay in the home for many years, an updated kitchen will certainly make the home feel fresh and new. A renovation to the kitchen can also dramatically change the functioning space and therefore drastically effect how you live in your home. For example, a kitchen that starts off with dark, cramped working quarters might have the possibility of turning into a bright, open space, perfect for multiple cooks and for entertaining. Where the possibility of entertaining may not have existed before, you may want to spend a lot more time in the new favorite room of the house.

Similarly, bathrooms benefit from a renovation through the possibility of giving the space a fresh, clean feeling. Because bathrooms are generally smaller spaces, it is sometimes possible to splurge on more expensive finishes and fixtures while still keeping within a budget.

If you are working on a tight budget and want to get as much bang for your buck as possible, these items will do wonders for updating a space.

• Countertops – Laminate countertops can be easily and inexpensively replaced by a countertop company with minimum disruption to the space. Laminate countertops are fastened to the base cabinets by screws that can be easily removed, which allows the old countertop to be slide off and a new one to take it’s place. The only caution with this process comes if there is a tile backsplash in the kitchen. Because tile is installed after countertops, when removing countertops there is a chance that one or more of the tiles may crack or break (not a problem if they are being replaced anyways, but definitely a problem if you are wanting to preserve them).• Cabinet Hardware – Often referred to as the jewelry of the kitchen, replacing the knobs and handles can instantly provide a new sparkle to older cabinets. Cabinet hardware is also a good way to tie in the finish from appliances or from new lighting.

• Paint – Although many individuals shy away from painting a wood cabinet, more and more people are catching onto the idea. Painting cabinets gives them an instant facelift and can dramatically brighten an entire kitchen. Consider an aged-oak kitchen with it’s dark brandy-coloured tones, if the cabinets are painted white the entire kitchen responds with a brightness that visually expands the space.

• Lighting– In addition to replacing dated-looking fixtures, changing lights can also provide more light to a space which will brighten and make the space seem larger. There are many lighting fixtures that can be purchased in the most current finishes relatively inexpensively at all lighting stores and big-box stores.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I've been very fortunate to work with Nadine Andrews on several projects and she has helped my clients and I over come space issues in both new and renovation projects. This article revolves around finding inspiration in the design process.Ken Kunka Flywheel Building Solutions

Looking for inspiration for a new decorating or design project can be a very daunting process. Inspiration is a personal and individual thing, therefore, what might prove to be inspiring for one person won’t necessarily be inspiring to another. However the process of looking for inspiration isn’t something that changes with personalities. Below are some of the most common areas to look for inspiration and how to pull together the ideas from what you see.

• Inspiration can be as close as your clothes closet. Look inside to see which colours you purchase the most of. These colours are generally the colours that you are most drawn to. Usually you will see a colour pallet come through.

• Themes are a good way to become inspired for a specific room or area of the home. Basically a theme is the main idea of a room. For example “fairies” could be the theme for a little girls bedroom, or “old world library” could be the theme for a home office. Choosing a theme allows you to pose the question “Does this fit with the theme?” towards all of your potential decorating ideas and purchases for the room. If the answer to the question is no, then you can quickly put down the object in question and continuing searching for the perfect piece.

• Fabric stores can provide great sources of inspiration for a decorating project. Having a theme before going to the fabric store can help to narrow down the choices, but if you haven’t gotten that far just start browsing the different textures and colour combinations. Purchase small samples of fabrics that you like, including any coordinating fabrics (stripes, checks, plaids, or solids) that you might be able to use for accents and trims.

• Interior design magazines provide a source of photos from a wide range of decorating styles. They are also a great source for looking at current trends. When looking through the magazines, don’t spend too much time analyzing what it is that you like about a picture. If you like the look or feel of a room shown, tear the page out and move on. Once you have accumulated a pile of pages you can go back through to see whether you are still feeling inspired by the picture. You should begin to see a common thread between all of the pictures that you have accumulated. For example, the majority may lead towards a more traditional style of decorating, or they all might have dark coloured hardwood floors.

• Other places of inspiration can include showhomes, websites, friends’ homes, photos, area rugs, and artwork. Take pictures of items or designs that you like and make sure that you ask specific questions about paint colours or the place of purchase.

• Compiling all of the sources of inspiration and ideas into a scrapbook or design file will allow for quick and easy access when you want to look back at an image. Divide the file into sections such as pictures, samples, furniture, etc. Glue or tape samples onto white pages and insert into the file or scrapbook. Make sure that you make notes about what the piece is or why you’ve included it. For example, “Really like this faucet” or “These colours remind me of Hawaii.”

Remember that sources of inspiration are truly just that, inspiration. It is the personal interpretation of this inspiration that will inject your space with personality and truly make it your own.

Your home is a very personal space; an expression of style, personality and lifestyle.An experienced interior designer will balance skill with your individual needs, delivering a beautiful and functional home.When there is rapport and understanding between you and your designer, the construction process is exciting and the results are outstandingWith personalized service and attention to detail, Design Evolution is committed to completing projects on time and on budget.

Kitchen Design – We assess the needs and desires of the client in conjunction with space allowances and budget to determine the most functional kitchen design options, while maintaining strong aesthetic qualities

Bathroom Design – We educate our clients on basic design principles throughout the design process to enable them to assist in the design of their space.Nadine Andrews D.I.D.DESIGN EVOLUTIONPh 250864-9848Fax 250469-9411designevolution@shaw.cawww.designevolution.ca

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Designing commercial spaces is a skilful process. From the initial consultation and procurement, through to detailed working drawings for construction, and the implementation, we, at Design Evolution, ensure the aesthetic and function of a commercial property impacts its performance as an investment as well as a working environment.

At Design Evolution we begin by getting to know our clients and the way the use their space. We then develop a design concept and guide them through the entire design process, taking care of everything from working drawings to dealing with professional trades.

We pride ourselves on personalized attention to detail and service. At Design Evolution we maintain an open line of communication between our clients, ourselves and our trades and are committed to providing personalized attention to detail and service.

Residential and Commercial Interior Design Kelowna

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About Me

Nadine Andrews began her foray into interior design as a way to combine structure and beauty, bringing her love of the sciences and the arts together. Today, after 12 years of professional experience, she still feels lucky to be able to pursue a career that she is passionate about. Nadine Andrews has experience that shows itself in her work, everyday.
“It is an amazing dynamic to be working with homeowners who have a vision of how their space could be. By expanding on that vision, using my trained eye, the clients are able to see their dreams fulfilled. There is no bigger complement than that received by the friends and family of clients, when they see the new space for the first time and exclaim that the space exactly portrays the personalities of the individuals living there.”
Nadine prides herself on creating a rapport and a friendship with her clients that extends past the completion date of the project. With so much personalized attention to detail and service, the process becomes exciting for the clients and the results are outstanding.

About Design Evolution

Design Evolution offers residential and commercial interior design services and kitchen design services in the central Okanagan. Based in West Kelowna, we create distinctive and functional design solutions for our discerning clients in Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, and Kelowna. We work with clients to create spaces that reflect their personalities. Each commercial or residential space is treated as individually as the respective client, which helps to create a truly unique approach to interior design every time.

Our Business Philosophy

Design Evolution’s vision is to be a leader in commercial and residential interior design in Kelowna. We will create award winning, innovative designs that continue to reflect the personalities of our clients.

Design Evolution will offer exceptional, personalized service to each client, maintaining astute attention to detail on every project. We will maintain strong, open lines of communication between our clients, architects, general contractors and sub-trades. Our mission is to create innovative, award-winning interior design that meets our clients’ needs and desires and reflects their personalities in the completed space.

Testimonials

“I just want to say how pleased I am with the final product! It was a challenging project but the office layout is extremely functional and well laid out for the space constraints we have.
Nadine, you are very adept at pulling colours, texture and various design elements together in a very integrated fashion. Although I can be a little inflexible in my requests (no drywall, no white), I must concede that your choice of colours are excellent. In fact, the final result far exceeded my expectations.
We have had many compliments on the look of our office.”

Jim Oostenbrink
Regional Director, CLAC

Last summer, I was very busy and my builder and I decided to pick out the interior colours.

It was a 12,000 dollar mistake and time consuming too. The wood trim around the windows turned out to have an orange tinge to them and the paint had a touch of pink in it and looked so cold. It never matched our beautiful dark cherry wood cabinets.

In a panic, I called Nadine Andrews and asked her for help……….we decided to change everything, including the stain on the window trims. Now, it looks warm and inviting and each room flows. After that disaster, I had Nadine pick out everything from granite, lights, tile, hardwood flooring colour, furniture and blinds.

My friends walk into our house now and say that we live in a castle. Thanks to Nadine we really do live in a castle and it really does look like a two million dollar house.

After this experience, I couldn't imagine anyone building a house or doing a major renovation without an interior designer. I've told Nadine a million times, she's worth her weight in gold.

Thanks again, Nadine.

Lori Pedersen
West Kelowna

I've been fortunate to work with Nadine on several projects from renovations to new home designs. In the past I have struggled with finding an interior designer who is not stuck in a large house design mind set or is willing to work on a difficult renovation project.

Nadine brings a fresh approach and is willing to work with the client’s needs and budget. I refer all my clients to Nadine if they are serious about maximizing their design.

When it came time to design and build our 1.5 million Show Home, our first call was to Nadine Andrews.
As a custom home builder, it can often be challenging working with an interior designer. That changed when I met Nadine Andrews of Design Evolution.

Nadine’s talents far exceeded our expectations. Her ability to communicate clearly between the Owners, Builder, and Tradesmen, has made her one of the biggest assets to our team. From color selections, to full design and working construction drawings, Nadine’s trained skills put her at the top in the industry.

We will continue to work with Nadine on all of our projects for as long as she wishes to be there. I would strongly recommend Nadine Andrews for any project of any size or style.